Hi everyone, Sam Pressler here, from the Armed Services Arts Partnership. I'm coming by on 8/15 to answer questions. Have you tried comedy?

2017-08-11T14:55:02-04:00

*RP Staff will be monitoring this discussion*

RallyPoint is honored to host Sam Pressler, Founder and Executive Director of the Armed Services Arts Partnership. After dealing with his uncle’s suicide, Pressler turned to comedy to cope and began to understand the true power of humor. Soon thereafter, he learned about reintegration difficulties faced by veterans, and was inspired to create Comedy Bootcamp - a stand-up comedy class for veterans and their families, to help them express their experiences, give voice to their stories, and forge new purposes at home. This continued on to become his current non-profit, Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), which has given nearly 300 veterans and their families access to dozens of classes and workshops to help them communicate their wartime and homecoming experiences. Sam was named to the HillVets 100 list as one of the 100 most influential people in the veterans space, and was a 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJpDzxOUxI&feature=youtu.be

Introduction to the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP)

The Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) helps veterans reintegrate into their communities through the arts. ASAP promotes artistic expression, skill-devel...

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 11 at 2017 3:45 PM

2017-08-11T15:45:53-04:00

Sam Pressler: No, Sir. But I sure could have used comedy in the Army.
-Moat Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 11 at 2017 4:08 PM

2017-08-11T16:08:26-04:00

Sam Pressler Dark humor has always been a staple in the military. Sometimes it is less appropriate for polite audiences than others. This looks like a great program. Thank you for your efforts.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 11 at 2017 6:06 PM

2017-08-11T18:06:18-04:00

Actually, I did stand up twice here in Kansas at the Looney Bin in Wichita. Didn't do too bad either...

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 11 at 2017 7:19 PM

2017-08-11T19:19:55-04:00

https://youtu.be/fctAGQWsxA0

The Procession of Ex-Wives

This is my very first comedy bit. Performed at the Loony Bin Comedy Club in Wichita, KS.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 13 at 2017 3:17 AM

2017-08-13T03:17:39-04:00

Black humor or dark humor in these more politically correct days tends to appeal to many service members and veterans, especially those who served in direct action capacities Sam Pressler.
Humor requires intelligence to both provide and enjoy. The best humor is not insulting to anybody else - Rodney Dangerfield was a master at self deprecating humor.
Many of us have known too many who dies violently - generally in combat but sometime sin training and worse by their own hand.
1. How would you counsel those experiencing recent deaths using the lessons you learned after your own uncles suicide?
2. What comedic venues would be best for the grieving to become involved with if they want to try comedy as a palliative for emotional pain?
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Michael Thorin COL Mikel J. Burroughs Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC Private RallyPoint Member SrA Christopher Wright Maj Marty Hogan SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey CPL Eric Escasio

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Aug 13 at 2017 8:15 AM

2017-08-13T08:15:07-04:00

Sam Pressler Good Job Sir!

Response by Kanika Misra made Aug 15 at 2017 9:22 AM

2017-08-15T09:22:49-04:00

What are some of the best stand-up routines you've heard within your experience at ASAP? Any stories to share?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 15 at 2017 9:28 AM

2017-08-15T09:28:44-04:00

Sam Pressler - as a Veteran that deals with PTSD, I found that spending time with my camera has really helped remind me of the beauty left in the world. How do you answer the people that say such a project as your's does not really address the underlining cause(s) of a service member(s) condition and what has been your best success story you share with them?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 15 at 2017 10:02 AM

2017-08-15T10:02:23-04:00

Hi Sam, Thanks for your time. There's a program in Boston hosted by a local improve group that focuses on overcoming some of the symptoms of PTSD through comedy. It's not the laughs which is helpful but the act of overcoming anxiety and being confident to think quickly which in front of a crowd. Aside from humor as a form a therapy, what other benefits does comedy provide for veterans?

Response by CPT David Gowel made Aug 15 at 2017 10:39 AM

2017-08-15T10:39:38-04:00

Sam Pressler, your organization sounds like it's making impact for Veterans and their families in a meaningful way. Thanks for what you are doing to give more than you take. Do you offer any programs for currently serving service members? That sounds like a population who could benefit from ASAP long before becoming Veterans.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 15 at 2017 10:52 AM

2017-08-15T10:52:51-04:00

Mr Sam Pressler 1st of all, thank you for coming by to talk with the community.
PTSD being what it is, an individual manifestation of issues that has no single cause, cure, mitigation your discover of what worked for you is a perfect way to address the issue s in an individual way, Im grateful you took the chance you did to see that it might work, and share that option to others.

So the question...have you seen a pattern of who your particular style of PTSD assistance helps?
Are there personality traits we can look for that respond well to "Comedy Therapy"
or is it just the old adage of try everything, you wont know what works till it does.
The question comes from observing suffers of PTSD that are helped when put in groups, events and situations that were common fun, uplifting events for them before the stresses of combat.
Vets with PTSD, that were hunters before combat can find peace and relaxation though hunting.
Vets with PTSD who spent countless hours building an off road vehicle and going off road find solace and distance from their troubles by diving into a build, and then the challenge of the next trail.
Do you find your version of help, is effective with those that held comedy as highly entertaining before combat? Folks that were likely to go to a comedy show, watch it on TV.Be the unit comedian or the guy always getting people to crack up at family gatherings.

Finally, does your comedy specifically stay away from topics that might be labeled "triggers" or is nothing off limits so as to normalize things that might elicit PTSD emotions, but we want to help the Vet learn to understand, they don't have to..its up to them.
Respectfully

Erik Marquez

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2017 2:57 PM

2017-08-15T14:57:51-04:00

Great program, great mission, great people....funny stuff!

Response by SSgt Christopher Mortell made Aug 15 at 2017 6:03 PM

2017-08-15T18:03:22-04:00

I use a lot humor in my work as a corporate trainer. I've thought about stand up but my humor tends to be more on-the-spot and less planned. It would be fun to see if I could translate that into stand up.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Aug 15 at 2017 6:40 PM

2017-08-15T18:40:26-04:00

I spent a year in a mentorship with top writers at the Writers Guild of America, West to learn sitcom writing. Have two specs completed during that year. What are my next steps?

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Oct 7 at 2018 8:23 PM

2018-10-07T20:23:31-04:00

That is interesting, and delightful at the same time! Since I've been out of uniform, I've found myself being the "Go To" person in the family for those suffering terminal illnesses.

While I felt privileged to be around those I loved at a time like that, I can tell you, after you loose your brother in law of 40 years, your Mother, the sister you were closest to, as well as two of your oldest and dearest friends, you have a hard time dealing with life at times.

I told myself that I just needed time to process, then I'd be fine, but it was exhausting, trying to haul myself back out of depression a grief each time, until I started writing again. I started with the three months I cared for my mother, and in absolute horror, I realized that there was a great deal of laughter in that time.

Mom was a funny lady, who always had some wise crack, or some half-thought out comment, that would leave us rolling on the floor at the worst times. Imagine, my sister and gathered round my mother as she planned out her funeral. "Musical chairs..." she said with a dreamy smile, "Door Prizes.."

I have no idea why, but I reigned in my mother on those plans, only to see them come roaring back when my sister died. Yes, musical chairs, door prizes, rubber chickens to be waved in the air during singing, and to share at least one insane or funny moment they'd had with her. It was the first time I'd ever been to a funeral where people slapped their knees and snort-laughed their way thru her self-written eulogy.

I noticed, that as much as I missed my sister, thoughts of her made me smile, and still do. Since then, when I feel depressed over the discovery of a new illness, or the pain in my knees or back just screams right thru any painkillers I take, I write, and I find its much easier coping with pain, either mental or physical, when you can find a way to laugh.

If this project works as well for others, as the addition of laughter into my own life worked, then G-d bless you for making it possible for others!!!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AQxtIXOg4J2xnrwAXNS4Ts5quJcEcaZCiPI3ectFYWNFVhMvstAxYM4/
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